Numbering-head.



1. H. REINHARDT.

NUMBERING HEAD.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14. 1913.

Patented Oct. 19, 1915.

J; tildl d lt fid PTNT Fi m 5:

JAMES H. REINI-IARDT, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB, TO AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

NUMBEBING-HEAD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. is, rare.

Application filed February 14, 1913. Serial No. 748,457.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMn's H. REINI-IARDT, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at East Orange, in theoounty of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in NumberingHeads, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My invention relates to numbering heads, and more particularly to the construction of the digit wheel actuating mechanism and of the drop cipher mechanism.

The main object of the invention is to provide a numbering head wherein each of the digit wheels excepting the unit wheel is positively held by the transfer mechanism against rotation at all times excepting during the transfer or carrying'from one wheel to another, thus preventing the accidental movement of a digit wheel of higher denomination through the rotation of the digit wheel of next lower denomination.

A further object is to provide an actuating mechanism acting upon the unitdigit wheel,

which will positively rotate said wheel a decimal part of a rotation with each actuation thereof, and prevent the over-running of the wheel during this operation and also a loss of register thereof when the actuating mechanism is being set for a subsequent actuation thereof.

A still further object is to provide a numbering head wherein the unit wheel will be positively locked when in the printing position and the various parts of the head will be so set immediately after the initiation of the feeding movement of the unit wheel as to limit the extent of rotation of the unit wheel to the desired decimal part of revolution.

A still further object is to provide a numbering head wherein each of the digit wheels, beyond that occupying the unit place, excepting when it is to be actuated, is locked or set in position by a positive mechanism which mechanism is capable of adjustment to permit the actuation of any such wheel, as in setting the head, independently of the actuating means or the transfer mechanism.

A still further object is to provide means in conjunction with the transfer mechanism whereby said mechanism may be disengaged from the various wheels to permit the setting thereof, and reengaged therewith in a manner which will avoid any possibility of a loss of the proper relative position of each digit wheel andthe transfer mechanism.

A still further object is to provide a digit wheel actuating transfer mechanism which will at all times bring all of the digit wheels into the proper register, or thetrue printing position, and hold them in this position.

A still further object is to provide supplemental means under the control of the actuating mechanism for normally holding all of the digit wheels in a fixed position, which means upon each actuation of said unit wheel will be disengaged from all of the wheels to permit the rotation of any one thereof. And a still further object is to provide a drop cipher mechanism whereby, when the cipher is elevate'd'or in the printing position,'the base or heel of the cipher block will have the maximum surface bearing upon the wheel shaft.

The invention consists primarily in a numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels rotating about a common axis and each carrying a gear, means adapted tov intermittently actuate the unit digit, and a transfer mechanism embodying therein a Geneva gear actuated by a digit wheel of lower denomination, and a gear wheel adapted to transmit movement to the wheel of next higher denomination, whereby the wheel of higher denomination, through said Geneva gear, is held against movement by the wheel of'lower denomination and said wheel of higher denomination will be actuated at proper, predetermined times under the con trol of said wheel of lower denomination; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and'described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a view ofthe printing side of the numbering head; Fig. 2 is an end View thereof with the side plate removed; Fig. 3 is a view of the transfer mechanism side of the head; and Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are detail views of the drap cipher construction.

Like letters refer to like partsthroughout the several views.

in that embodiment of my invention shown wheels c c c c 0 0, each of which is provided with a gear'wheel (Z attached thereto and rotating therewith. The first of these wheels, 0, is the unit wheel which receives the impulses from the main actuating mechanism and transmits themto the remaining gears in the ordinary and well known manner but through a novel mechanism, through thearithmetioally progressive movement of the succeeding digit wheels.

Machines having the above'characteristics areold and well known in this art, and my invention relates more particularly to the construction of the main actuating mechanism for the unit wheel, the details of the transfer mechanism and the particular construction of the drop cipher feature.

A numbering head like that herein shown and described is adapted to be mechanically actuated, and there is a tendency of the main actuating mechanism to either advance the 'unitwheel more than the required distance,

or to cause a slight return movement of said wheel as this mechanism returns to normal, or is set preparatory to the neXt actuation of the unit wheel. There is also a tendency of one of the digit wheels to impart moveinent to the digit wheel of next higher denomination through a binding of parts, or adhesive matter, such as ink, entering between adjacent wheels. By my improved construction, I include in the actuating mechanism means whereby the unit wheel is prevented from exceeding the desired quantity of feeding movement, and whereby when it has had the desired feed, it'will be prevented from a partial return movement which would displace that printingsurface thereof operative at the moment. To accomplish these results, the unit wheel 0 has attached'thereto and rotatable therewith two oppositely pitched ratchet wheels 6 and f. adapted to be engaged respectively by a spring pressed detent pawl g to prevent a return movement of this ratchet and of the unit wheel, and an oppositely acting detent pawl h to normally prevent an advance or feeding movement of said ratchets and said unit wheel. By using a plurality of oppositely pitched ratchets and a plurality of independently acting dogs, both of which are normally set, the unit wheel from which all of the other digit wheels derive motion, is normally locked against movement in either direction.

Mounted upon the shaft b is an oscillating plate 2' one end of which has mounted thereon an anti-friction roller adapted to be engaged by the operating means for the numbering head, and the end of which upon outside of the shaft opposite to the roller j has a cam slot therein, the function of which is to momentarily disengage the pawl h from its ratchet to permit the advancing or feeding movement of the unit wheel. lhe greater part of this cam slot 7.: is concentric with the shaft Y), but one end thereof, as shown more particularly in Fig. 2, has a cam formed therein for the purpose of raising said pawl h and holding it raised for a sufficient time to permit the tooth of the ratchet to escape thereunder. The pawl h is mounted upon the rod Z and has a. StlLl h thereon projecting through the cam slot Zr. The pawl g is mounted upon said stud it and is acted upon by the spring It normally engaging it with its ratchet. The spring in, one end of which is seated in the shaft 1), and the other end of which acts upon the plate 2", accomplishes the feeding movement of the unit wheel, the actuation of said plate against the tension of this spring merely setting it in its operative position preparatory to accomplishing said feeding movement. Carried by the plate 2' adjacent to the antifriction roller 7' is a feeding pawl a engaging the ratchet 6.

1n the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, compactness of structure is sought and the transfer mechanism is designed to meet the special conditions of use present with the type of numbering head shown. The use of gear trains or intermediate gears is not absolutely essential, although where the space between the plates (4 and a is insufficient, such may he used. to great advantage. In the form of the invention shown, I provide a shaft 0 counter to the shaft 6, and mount thereon a series of independently rotatable gears 1), each of which is entrained with the gears d by an intermediate gear 51 mounted upon the shaft 51. Each of the gears :12 carries a disk 7) forming one member of a pair of Geneva gears, said disk p having thereon a single tooth notch 79 through which the transferring gear is driven. Projecting laterally of this disk 2) is a gear teeth 7). All of the 7 gears 72 excepting that in mesh with the gear d of the digit wheel of highest denomination, are equipped with a disk 7) constructed in the manner described. In mesh with each gear 79 is a transfer gear 0' the teeth of which extend laterally to a point where they will mesh with the projecting teeth 7) of the disk Geneva gear 7" prefe ably having four sides adapted to bear upon the rim or periphery of the disk 29 and having teeth adapted to mesh with the single gear tooth notch upon said disk. The number of teeth in the gear wheels 1" will be twice that of the sides of the Geneva gear. By this construction, the Geneva gear r will be held against rotation by the disk 7) at all. times excepting when it is desired to transfer or carry from one 29. Carried by each said gear 1 is the wheel to another of higher denomination, and excepting at that time each wheel of higher denomination will be positively locked against movement by its gear 1" which is constantly in mesh therewith.

The projecting gear tooth [9 acts as a starter for the Geneva gear 7" through the gear 1". Frequently, however, it is necessary to set a numbering head before beginning a lot of work, and to secure the advantages of positive interlocking means preventing rotation of any of the digit wheels excepting under the positive control of the unit wheel, and through the transfer mechanism, and at the same time permit the setting of the digit wheel or the rotation of any wheel independently of the unit wheel or said transfer mechanism, I mount said series of transfer wheels upon a shaft 8 mounted in oscillatory arms 8 turning about or with the shaft Z. To permit the actuation of these transfer wheels by throwing them into or out of mesh with other gears forming a part i of the transfer mechanism, I provide an operating lever t adapted to be held in the adjusted position by the latches t 15 carried by one side frame, as a of the numbering head. To insure the gear 1" and its Geneva gear 9" being thrown into mesh after the setting of the numbering head, I provide a recessed bar r adapted to engage a tooth of each said gear r just as it comes out of mesh with its gear 10- This arrangement prevents the rotation of the gears 1' while they are not in mesh with said gears 10, thus insuring the accurate positioning of all of said gears 1" relative to said gears 29, and avoiding the accidental rotation of any said gear r while it is not in mesh therewith.

In addition to the action of the transfer mechanism and the pawl and ratchet mechanism actuating the unit digit wheel, I provide a lock bar it having a tooth u adapted to engage each gear (l for insuring the absolute alinement of the various digits when in the printing position. While this look bar is not vitally essential, its use has the advantage that in case of wear upon, or backlash in, the gears, all of the digit wheels will be trued up after each actuation of the unit wheel. The bar a is carried by the pawl h and an arm opposite thereto mounted upon the shaft Z, so that With each actuation of the pawl it, said bar will be disengaged from all of the gears (Z.

Heretofore, with drop ciphers, the amount of bearing for the heel upon the shaft, when the cipher block is in the printing position has been very slight as the undercut portions of the shaft have either extended circumferentially thereof, or axially thereof, only.

' By the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, however, I am enabled to secure a comparatively large bearlng surface for the heel of the cipher digit block while permitting the cipher to be readily dropped and as readily brought to the printing position. In the form of the invention contemplated in this application, I provide upon the shaft opposite the position of the numbering block which is in the printing position, an oblique or diagonal channel o having an undercut portion 7), this channel being extended beyond the position normally occupied by a block when in this position. The cipher digit block to is provided at the bottom thereof with an overcut tongue to, the pitch of which tongue coincides with that of the channel '0 and the mouth of which channel and the center of the printing Position of the digit blocks is Wide enough to permit said tongue to drop downwardly within the channel when the wheel is turned a part of one feeding movement. By this construction an oblique bearing surface across the shaft is afforded, the area of which is sufficiently great to form a substantial recess for the heel of the tongue w, thus affording a bearing surface along the entire length of this block and bearings upon opposite sides of this channel for the other digit blocks which are not adapted to be lowered or dropped. I thus not only gain in the lateral, but also in the longitudinal bearing surface for the drop cipher block.

The operation of the herein described numbering head is substantially as follows: lVhen it is desired to set the numbering head prior to'entering on a run of the numbering machine, the lever t is oscillated to throw the gears 1" out of mesh with the gears 79 and disengage theGeneva gear element 9" from the disks 79. As the shaft .9 is thus moved away from the shaft 0 some one tooth of each gear 1" will enter the bar W, and be held against rotation, thus positioning each Geneva gear element r where it will readily reengage the disk upon the reverse movement of said lever 25. The spacing of the bar 1" so that the gear teeth will engage it just as they clear the tooth upon the gear 79 will avoid any possibility of a displacement of any of said gears 1" while they are out of mesh with said gears 79. The latches t and t are provided merely to hold the lever 25 in either of the positions it as sumes when meshing the gears r with the gears 79 or with the bar r When the numbering head has been properly set, the lever t is restored to its former position, throwing all of the gears 1* into mesh with their gears 72 and setting the transfer mechanism so as to permit the operation of the machine. It will .be observed that under normal conditions the unit wheel is held against movement by the oppositely pitched ratchet wheels 6 f and the pawls g h acting thereon respectively. These two pawls will also serve to preserve the. proper alinement of the unit digit wheel. In the actuation of the wheel.

numbering head, the actuating member, not shown, will engage the roller 7' and oscillate the plate 71 against the tensionof the spring m, the pawl a riding the teeth of the ratchet wheel 6. During the first portion of the movement of the plate 2', the portion of the slot concentric with the shaft 6 will not act upon the pawl 72, but asthe cam portion of this slot reaches the stud 'h, or toward the l1m1t of the setting movement or the plate i, said pawl It will be raised out of engagement'with the ratchet j,'the pawl g, however, still being pressed in engagement with its ratchet e by its spring, this-pawl rotating about said stud it. When the actuating member passes from its engagement with the roller j, the plate 2' will be returned to its normal position by the spring m, the

pawl it being held disengaged from its .movement upon the next actuation of the plate The teeth upon the ratchets e and f being ten in number, each actuation of v the plate 2' will result in one tenth of a're'volution of the unit Wheel, thus causing the digits thereon to be successively brought into the printing position.

The transfer mechanism in carrying from the units to the tens, etc., or trom one wheel of a lower denomination to a wheel of next higher denomination, operates as to each wheel in the same manner, and but one transfer operation will therefore be described. Assuming that the units digit wheel is set at one, in starting a run of the numbering machine, the tens wheel will be held istationary by the gear 0" in mesh therewith, said gear 1" being held against rotation by its Geneva gear element r bearing upon the Geneva gear disk element 7) controlled by the units wheel. As the digit nine comes to the printing position, however,"the tooth section 79 of the disk 7) will be brought into position where upon the next actuation of the unit wheel, or wheel of lower denomination, it will mesh with one of the teeth upon the gear r, the tooth 12 upon the disk being at the same time in a position where, it will mesh with one of the teeth of the Geneva gear. Hence, with the succeeding operation of the plate 2', the Geneva gear 7* and spur gear r will be rotated by said disk '79 and its teeth 17 p thus imparting to the gear 72 controlling the digit wheel of next higher denomination, suiicient rotative movement to turn the succeeding digit wheel one tenth of a revolution. After the actuation of the gears r r, in the manner referred to, the Genevagear element r will be brought to a position with relation to its disk 7/ to limit the rotativc moment of the gear controlling the digit wheel of next higher denomination and prevent further movement thereof. This operation is repeated each time the unit wheel or any other wheel excepting that of highest denomination, passes from the digit "9 to the cipher. With each actuationof the pawl 7a, the lock bar it will be moved out of engagement with the gears (Z, thus permitting any of said gears to be freely rotated. After each rotativo movement of each gear (5, this bar is reongaged therewith, thus tending to bring all of the digit wheels into the proper alinement. This bar is merely a supplemental alincment means and may be dispensed with if desired, although I find it desirable as compensating means for wear upon the various parts of the gear transmission system. The formation of the slot in and the engagement of the pawl it with the teeth of the ratchet 7 will prevent the refingagemcnt of the teeth u of the bar a prior to the termination of the feeding movement of the various digit wheels under the main actuating mechanism or the transfer mechanism.

The actuation of the drop cipher mechanisms consists merely in advancing a digit wheel to a point where the cipher will he in the printing pcsition. As the digit block carrying the cipher comes to this position,

it will ride over the under cut portion 0 of the shaft with the heel of the tongue "to" thereof engaging along the surface about this undercut portion adjacent to tho channel o. By still further advancing the digit wheelin the direction of the arrow, Fig. l, the tongue w by a direct lineal traverse will. come to a position where it will drop into the channel 21 whereupon by a return movement, the heel of this tongue 10' will enter the undercut portion, thus locking the cipher in the lowered position. In other words, the

angle of the channel '0 and of the tongue to being the same they are always parallel except at one point where they are coincident. By a lineal movement of one relative to the other, therefore, the tongue will be brought beyond the edge of the under cut portion of the shaft and yet be parallel with the edge thereof, and hence the cipher will immediately drop into the channel. It is merely necessary to have the channel sulliciently longer than the tongue so that a lineal movement of the tongue will bring it into the desired relation with the groove. The pitch of the channel and the width of the overhung portion will in large measure control the quantity of movement necessary to permit the dropping of the cipher. By having the channel diagonally arranged, as shown, a bearing surface of increased length is afforded and one which extends diagonally across the cipher digit block so as to lend support thereto throughout a substantial portion of the width of the block.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown the gears (Z and 79 as each having twenty teeth, although both these gears are rotated a full tenth of a revolution with each actuation of the plate 2'. The number of teeth in this case is immaterial, however, as the quantity of rotation of these gears is determined by the main actuating mechanism, and the transfer mechanism and gears g are intermediate gearing. By using eight teeth upon the gears r and twenty teeth upon the gears 79, I am enabled to use a four sided Geneva gear element 1" utilizing the gears 79 for starting the gears 1' which has the advantage of always bringing the Geneva gear 1" into position where it willpositively prevent rotation of the gear 19 controlling the digit wheel of next higher denomination.

By the herein described construction, I am enabled to positively drive the units digit wheel through the main actuating mechanism, one tenth of a revolution only, movement in excess of this being positively prevented. I am also enabled to utilize a transfer mechanism for not only transmitting power from one digit wheel to another, but for preventing rotation of a digit wheel of higher denomination at all times excepting when this power is to be transmitted. Furthermore, in addition to these safeguards for insuring accuracy in the operation of the numbering head, I am enabled by a simple adjustment of the machine to render the positively acting transfer mechanism inoperative so as to permit the independent rotation of any of the wheels excepting the units wheel, which may be readily actuated by means of the main actuating mechanism, thus permitting the head to be quickly set to any desired number. By using the lock bar it, absolutely true alinement may be secured, so that any inacuracy or lost motion in the gear transmission system will be com pensated for.

When the numbering head is set for actuation, none of the digit wheels can be turned excepting through the actuation of the units wheel. In setting the various digit wheels by throwing the transfer gears entirely out of mesh with the gears controlling the digit wheels and using a continuous gear adapted to be started by a single tooth when the gears r are reengaged with the gears 79, the actuation of the transfer mechanism cannot be so affected as to require any nicety of adjustment, as the gears 1 are continuous and will be driven at any point thereof so long as one of the faces of the Geneva gear 1"" is engaged with its disk p so as to permit a meshing of the gears 79 and 7'.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, it being apparent that such may be varied to adapt the invention to different designs of numbering heads without departing from the spirt or scope of the invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new anddesire to have protected by Letters Patent, is

1. A numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels means intermittently actuating the units wheel of said series, a transfer mechanism adapted to carry from a wheel of lower denomination to a wheel of higher denomination embodying therein means holding a wheel of higher denomination against movement except during the carrying operation, means whereby said last named holding means may be rendered inoperative to permit the setting of any of said digit wheels, and means actuated by the means for actuating the units digit wheelv whereby after each actuation of said last named means all of the digit wheels will be trued up, alined or justified.

2. A numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels, means intermittently actuating the unit wheel, a transfer mechanism adapted to carry from a wheel of lower denomination to a wheel of higher denomination, embodying therein means positively holding a wheel of higher denomination against movement excepting during the carrying operation, and means common to all digit wheels in the series acting independently of the transfer mechanism for alining or justifying each of the digit wheels.

A numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels rotating about a commonaxis and each carrying a gear, means adapted to intermittently actuate the unit digit wheel, a'transfer mechanism embodying therein a Geneva gear actuated by a digit wheel of lower denomination, and a gear wheel adapted to transmit movement to the wheel of next higher denomination, whereby the wheel of higher denomination, through said Geneva gear, is held against movement by the wheel of lower denomination, and said Wheel of higher denomination will be actuated at proper predetermined times under the control of said wheel of lower denomination and means common to all digit wheels of a series whereby all of said digit wheels will be simultaneously alined'or justified to correct any errors of said Geneva gears.

4. A numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels rotating about a common axis and each carrying a gear,

movement by the wheel of lower denomina tion, and said wheel of higher denomination Wlll be actuated at proper predetermined times under the control of said wheel of lower denomination, and ,means whereby said Geneva gear may be thrown out of the operative relation to permit the setting of the digitwheels.

.5, A numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels rotating about a common axis and each carrying a gear, means adapted to'intermittently actuate the unit digit wheel, a 'Geneva. gear element rotatable with each of said digit wheels, a transfer mechanismv embodying therein a Geneva gear cooperating with the Geneva gear element of a digit wheel of lower denomination, and a gear wheel adapted to transfer movementto the wheel of next higher denomination, whereby the wheel of higher denomination, through said Geneva I, gear, is held against movement by the wheel of lowerdenomination, and said wheel of higher denomination will be actuated at proper predetermined times under the con trol of said wheel of lower denomination, a lock 'bar common to all of said digit wheels whereby each of said digit wheels willbe brought into alinement or justified after each actuation thereof, and means actuating said lock bar lIlSYIlClllOlllSlD with the actuation of the means actuating the units digit wheels.

6. A numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels rotating about a common axis and each carrying a gear,

means adapted to intermittently actuate the unit digit wheel, a Geneva gear element rotatable with each of said digit wheels, a transfer mechanism embodying therein a Geneva gear cooperating with the Geneva gear eleinent'ofa digit wheel otlower denomination, and a gear wheel adapted to transferinovement to the wheel of next higher denomination, whereby the wheel of higher denomination,through said Geneva gear, is held against movement by the wheel of lower denomination, and said wheel of higher denomination will be actuated at proper predetermined times under the control of said wheel of lower denomination means operating in synchronism with the movements of said actuating means for said unitswheel whereby all of said digit'wheels are alined after each actuation thereof and means whereby said Geneva gear may be disengaged from its cooperating element to permit the setting of all ofthe digit wheels.

7. A numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels rotating about a common axis and each carrying a gear, means adapted to intermittently actuate the unit digit wheel, a. transfer mechanism cmbodying therein a Geneva gear actuated by a digit wheel of lower denmnmation, and a gear wheel adapted to transmit movement to the wheel of next higher denomination, whereby the wheel of higher denomination, through said Geneva gear, is held against movement by the wheel of lower denomination, and said wheel of hi ghcr denomination will be actuated at proper predetermined. times under the control of said wheel of lower denomination, means whereb said Geneva gear may be thrown out of the operative relation to permit the setting of the digit wheels, and means adapted to hold said Geneva gear and the gear actuated thereby against rotation while not in the operative position.

8. A numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels rotating about a common axis and each carrying a gear, means adapted to intermittently actuate the unit digit wheel, :1 Geneva gear element rotatable with each of said digit wheels, a transfer mechanism embodying therein a Geneva gear cooperating with the Geneva gear element of a digit wheel. of lower dcnoinination, a gear wheel adapted to transfer movement to the wheel of next higher denomination, whereby the wheel of higher denomination, through. said Geneva gear, is held against movement by the wheel of lower denomination, and said wheel of higher denomination will be actuated at proper predetermined times under the control of said wheel of lower denomination, and means adapted to hold said Geneva and the gear actuated thereby against rotation while not in the operative position.

9. A. numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels rotating about a common axis and each carrying a gear, means adapted to intermittently actuate the unit digit wheel, a transfer mechanism embodying therein a Geneva gear actuated by a digit wheel of lower denomination, and a gear wheel adapted to transmit movement to the wheel of next higher denomination,

position, comprising a recessed bar adapted to engage a tooth of each of the gears actu-V ated by said Geneva gear.

10. A numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels rotating about a common axis and each carrying a gear, means adapted to intermittently actuate the unit digit wheel, and a transfer mechanism embodying therein a counter shaft having mounted thereon a plurality of gears adapted to be driven from the gears of said digit wheels, each of said gears upon said counter shaft carrying a Geneva gear element rotatable therewith, a Geneva gear cooperating with the Geneva gear element of a digit wheel of lower denomination, and a gear wheel adapted to transfer movement to a wheel of next higher denomination mounted upon a shaft counter to said last named shaft, whereby the wheel of higher denomination, through said Geneva gear, is held against movement by the wheel of lower denomination, and said wheel of higher denomination will be actuated at proper predetermined times under the control of said wheel of lower denomination means whereby said counter shaft may be moved to disengage said Geneva gears from their co operating element and to permit the digit wheels to be set and means for simultaneously alining or iustifying all of the digit wheels after each actuation of the mai actuating means.

11. A numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels rotating about a common axis and each carrying a gear, neans adapted to intermittently actuate the unit digit wheel, and a transfer mechanism embodying therein a counter shaft having mounted thereon a plurality of gears adapted to be driven from the gears 'of said digit wheels, a Geneva gear element having a single tooth opening, rotatable with each of said lastnamed gears, a laterally projecting tooth, carried by said element, a Geneva gear cooperating with a gear element of a digit wheel of lower denomination, and a gear wheel adapted to mesh with said laterally projecting tooth and initiate themovement of said Geneva gear and thereafter transfer movement from said Geneva gear to the wheel of next higher denomination, whereby the wheel of higher denomination, through said Geneva gear, is held,

against movement by the wheel of lower denomination, and said wheel of higher denomination will be actuated at proper predetermined times under the control of said wheel of lower denomination.

12. A numbering head embodying therein aseries of digit wheels rotating about a common axis and each carrying a gear, means adapted to intermittently actuate the unit digit wheel, a transfer mechanism embodying therein a counter shaft mounted in an oscillatory frame and having mounted thereon a plurality of gears adapted to be driven from the gears of said'digit wheels, each of said gears upon said counter shaft carrying a Geneva gear element rotatable therewith, a Geneva gear cooperating with the Geneva gear element of a digit wheel of lower denomination, a gear wheel adapted to transfer movement to a wheel of next higher denomination, whereby the wheel of higher denomination, through said Geneva gear, is held against movement by the wheel of lower denomination, and said wheel of higher denomination will be actuated at proper predetermined times under the control of said wheel of lower denomination, and a lever handle controlling said oscillatory frame, and a fixed recessed bar spaced away'from, but adapted to be engaged by, each of said gears carried by said Geneva gears, whereby when said frame is oscillated, to disengage said Geneva gears from their cooperating elements, said Geneva gears will be held against rotation.

13. A numbering head embodying therein aseries of digit wheels, a transfer mechanism for carrying from a wheel of lower denomination to a wheel of higher denomination, and means adapted to intermittently actuate the unit digit wheel, comprising a plurality of oppositely pitched ratchet wheels rotatable with said unit digit wheel, a feeding pawl and a detent pawl acting upon one of said ratchet wheels, a stop pawl acting upon the other of said ratchet wheels, whereby said unit wheel is firmly locked against movement in either direction, and actuating means adapted to control said feeding pawl to impart a timely actuation to said stop pawl.

14. A numbering-head embodying therein a series of digit wheels, a transfer mecha nism for carrying from a wheel of lower denomination to a wheel of higher denomis nation, and means adapted to intermittently actuate the unit digit wheel, comprising a plurality of oppositely pitched ratchet wheels rotatable with said unit digit wheel, a feeding pawl and a detent pawl acting upon. one of said ratchet wheels, a stop pawl acting upon the other of said ratchet wheels, whereby said unit wheel is firmly locked against movement in either direction, and actuating means adapted to control said feeding pawl to impart a timely actuation to said stop pawl, comprising an oscillatory plate, connections between said plate and said feeding pawl and said feeding and said stop pawls, whereby the latter is actuated simultaneously with the feeding movement of the former.

15. A numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels, a transfer mechanism for carrying from a wheel of lower denomination to a wheel of higher denomiing a segmental slot therein provided with a cam surface adj acent to one end thereof adapted to engage a stud upon said stop pawl, whereby said stop pawl is raised simultaneously with the initiation of the feeding movement of said feeding pawl.

16. A numbering head embodying therein .a series of digit wheels, a t *ansfer mechanismfor carrying from a wheel of lower denomination to a wheel of higher denomination, embodying therein a Geneva gear actuated by a digit wheel of lower denomination, and a gear wheel adapted to transmit movement tothe wheel of next higher denomination, whereby the wheel of higher denomination, through said Geneva gear, is held against movement by the wheel of lower denomination, and said wheel of higher denomination will be actuated at proper predetermined times under the control of said wheel of lower denomination, and means adapted to intermittently actuate the unit digit wheel, comprising a plurality of oppositely pitched ratchet wheels, rotatable with saidunit digit wheel, a feeding pawl and a detent pawl acting upon one of said ratchet wheels, a stop pawl acting upon the other of said ratchet wheels,

whereby said unit wheel is firmly locked against movement n either direction, and actuating means adapted to control said feeding pawl to impart a timely actuation to said stop. pawl, comprising an oscillatory plate, connections between said plate and said feed ng pawl and said feeding and said stop pawls, whereby the latter is actuated simultaneously with the feeding movement of the former. V

17. A numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels, a transfer-mechanism for carrying from a wheel of lower denomination to a, wheel of higher denomination, embodying therein a Geneva gear actuated by a digit wheel of lower denomination, and a gear wheel adapted to transmit movement to the wheel of next higher denomination, whereby the wheel of higher denomination, through said Geneva gear,-is held against movementby the wheel of lower denomination, and said wheel of higher denomination will be actuated at proper predetermined times under the control of said wheel of lower denomination, means adapted to intermittently actuate the unit digit wheel, comprising a plurality of oppositely pitched ratchet wheels, rotatable with said unit digit wheel, a feeding paw] and a detent pawl acting upon one of said ratchet wheels, a stop pawl acting upon the other of said ratchet wheels, whereby said unit wheel is iirmly locked against movement in either direction, and actuating means adapted to control said feeding pawl to impart a timely actuation to said stop pawl, comprising an oscillatory plate, connections between said plate and said feeding pawl and said feeding and said stop pawls, whereby the latter is actuated simul taneously with the feeding movement of the former, and means adapted to aline all of said digit wheels, comprising a lock bar having a series of teeth adapted to engage with each of said gears upon said digit wheels, and means adapted to disengage said lock bar from said gears during the feeding movement of said means actuating the unit digit wheel.

18. A numbering head embodying therein a series of digit wheels, a transfer mechanism for carrying from a wheel of lower denomination to a wheel of higher denomination, embodying therein a Geneva gear actuated by a digit wheel of lower denomination, and a gear wheel adapted to transmit movement to the wheel of next higher denomination, whereby the wheel of higher denomination, through said Geneva gear, is held against movement by the wheel of lower denomination, and said wheel of higher denomination will be actuated at proper predetermined times under the control of said wheel of lower denomination, means adapted to intennittently actuate the unit digit wheel, comprising a plurality of oppositely pitched ratchet wheels, rotatable with said unit digit wheel, a feeding pawl and a detent pawl acting upon one of said ratchet wheels, a stop pawl acting upon the other ofsaid ratchet wheels, whereby said unit wheel is firmly locked against movement in either direction, and actuating means adapted to control said feeding pawl to impart a timely actuation to said stop pawl, comprising an oscillatory plate, connections between said plate and said feeding pawl, and said feeding and said step pawls,

whereby the latter is actuated simultaneously with the feeding movement of the former, and means adapted to aline all of said digit wheels, comprising a lock bar having a series of teeth adapted to engage with each of said gears upon said digit wheels, and means under the control of said stop pawl and its actuating means adapted to disengage said loclr bar from said gears during the feeding movement of said mean actuating the unit digit wheel.

when said depressible block is in the printing position, an oblique bearing is afforded for said tongue.

In witness whereof, I have-hereunto affixed my signature, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 11th day of February, 1913.

JAMES H. REINHARDT.

Witnesses OTTO MUNK, F. T. lVnN'rwoRTH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. 

